Seoul Players to Give Christmas Performance
By Alan Green
Contributing Writer
The Seoul Players are bringing some true holiday spirit to town with their performance of "Twas the Night before Christmas."
Due to its immense popularity when performed last year, the group is once again mounting an evening of Christmas-themed readings at Roofers in Itaewon on Christmas eve.
As part of the giving spirit of Christmas, proceeds from the show will be used to bring presents, snacks and some Christmas cheer to the Bethlehem Children's Center on Christmas Day.
The Bethlehem Children's Center was established in 2003 to provide a safe environment from domestic violence for children of international marriages and transient workers in Korea. Funded through public donations and volunteers, the center currently provides care and counseling services, along with a stable home, to 33 children under the age of 10.
"Twas the Night before Christmas" will be a wonderful opportunity for the ex-pat community to come together during the holidays and patrons of the show will be treated to a variety of dramatic excerpts and readings from Christmas classics like Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and Dr. Seuss' delightful "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
For the more modern-minded listener, there's David Sedaris' uproarious and irreverent "The SantaLand Diaries."
The show also includes readings from the Bible, Dylan Thomas, and Danny Elfman, along with a host of Christmas favorites, old and new.
Of course, the night would not be complete without a visit from St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore, don't you know.
"'Twas the Night Before Christmas" promises to be a night of fun, laughter and community spirit. The hour and a half show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are 10,000 won or a wrapped gift for a child aged five to 10.
Seoul Players was formed in late 2001 as a non-profit organization by Roman Zolnierczyk, an Australian business executive and keen thespian. At that time, there was very little English-speaking theater in Seoul and the objective was to entertain by bringing English-speaking theater to audiences in Seoul.
Seoul Players brings talented people together, some with a lot of theatre background, and some with none ― but with a lot of enthusiasm.
With many local Koreans also attending the performances, they also hope to broaden awareness in Korea of foreign theatre and offer Korean students an English learning experience.
The Seoul Players' first production was staged in June 2002 during the Korea-Japan World Cup. Over the past eight years, they have staged many different styles of plays, from the zany "The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr" to the technically difficult and dramatic "Hitchcock Blonde."
Seoul Players artists are avid supporters of the arts both here and in their own home towns. They strive to focus on topics that can easily cross borders and "translate" well in Korea.
They tend to select plays that are not too complicated, in terms of language, so ESL learners can enjoy them too. Being in Korea, and in an international city like Seoul, they like to cater to a wide range of audience members, and not just native English speakers.
Seoul Players are always on the lookout for volunteers to join them. They need committee members, actors, directors, stage hands, writers, technicians, builders, graphic artists, photographers, and translators (just to name a few), and welcome anyone who wants to become involved.
For more details on upcoming events or if you want to get involved check out their web site, www.seoulplayers.com.